CD Details

Released: March 14, 2006

Originally Released: 2001

Label: Collectables Records

Original Album: Atlantic 1359 (1961)

Description by OLDIES.com:

The members of the Modern Jazz Quartet first came together as part of the Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra in the late 1940s. Leader John Lewis worked to have jazz perceived as 'respectable' by occasionally having the group performing with classical ensembles, as evidenced on this complete original Atlantic recording. Highlights from this 1960 album include the nineteen minute "Concertino For Jazz Quartet & Orchestra" and "Around The Blues." Milt Jackson, Percy Heath and Connie Kay contribute their talents to this 1961 Atlantic release.

For this set, the Modern Jazz Quartet (pianist John Lewis, vibraphonist Milt Jackson, bassist Percy Heath and drummer Connie Kay) were joined by a Germany symphony orchestra conducted by Gunther Schuller. Although these third-stream pieces (Schuller's three-movement "Concertino for Jazz Quartet & Orchestra," Andre Hodeir's "Around the Blues," Werner Heider's "Divertimento" and Lewis' inventive adaptation of "England's Carol") may not have had much potential, they avoid the potential pitfalls of being overly serious and pompous that sometimes plague similar works. "Around the Blues" has its swinging moments; most of the pieces are episodic, with good spots for Jackson and Lewis' soloing. Overall, this is a successful effort worth listening to several times. ~ Scott Yanow